HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Parker, J. C. Articles by Amos, D. F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Parker, J. C. Articles by Amos, D. F. Agricola Articles by Parker, J. C. Articles by Amos, D. F.

Programmable Pocket Calculator vs. Computer: A Comparison of Relative Efficiency for Small Jobs in the Soil Characterization Laboratory¹

ABSTRACT

A time and cost comparison was made for three methods of performing computations for pipette particle size distribution, clod bulk density, Atterberg limits, and potential volume change (FHA-PVC Meter). The programmable calculator was more efficient than either a nonprogrammable calculator or a computer using Fortran with card input. The nonprogrammable calculator costs were 1.6 to 5.3 times those using the programmable machine. The computer costs were 2.8 to 10.4 times those of the programmable calculator. In this particular lab, $200 per year was saved using a programmable calculator on these four analyses alone.

¹ Contribution of the Dep. of Agronomy, Virginia Polytech. Instit. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061.

² Research Associate and Associate Professor, respectively.

Received for publication September 20, 1976. Accepted for publication December 13, 1976.